April 6, 2008 - This past weekend
saw the 16U CAPS in Kingston for the OVA 17U Girls Ontario
Championships - Tier 2. This was the 16U CAPS first foray
into 17U Tier 2 play during the 07-08 season, and the girls entered
the tournament as the 9th seed.
The CAPS started Saturday morning against
the #1 seed Durham Attack Red. The first set went
to Attack (25-23) but the CAPS were strong in the second, winning
25-18. The final set was point-for-point, but the girls pulled
it out, winning the match with a third set victory
(15-13).
Next up was Burlington Blaze.
The CAPS came out strong, taking early leads in both sets and earning
straight set wins: 25-15, 25-14.
The final match of pool play pitted the
CAPS against the #8 seed ACTS Elites. This was to be the
second three-set match of the day for the girls, with the first set
going to Elites (25-18) followed by two CAPS victories (25-20, 15-12),
leaving the CAPS as the "A" pool leader.
So with a good first day finished, the CAPS
headed back to Ottawa for a night's rest in their own beds. As
a result of earning the number one spot in the "A" pool, the girls
earned extra hours sleep and opened the playoff round at 10:00 am on
Sunday morning. The CAPS faced the Northumberland
Breakers in the cross-over match earning straight set wins (25-20,
25-20).
This set up a quarter-final match between
the CAPS and Toronto 2 Strong. The CAPS winning momentum
continued with the girls earning another match victory in two (25-16,
25-20).
With no break, the CAPS returned to the
court for the semi-final match against the host Kingston
Pegasus. Pegasus came out swinging and took the first set
25-20. But the CAPS settled in, taking a big lead early in the
second set which they held to win 25-15. So, for the third time
in the tournament, the CAPS took the floor for the all-important third
set to determine the colour of the medal for which the girls would
play. And, as was the case in the second set, the CAPS' early
lead strategy proved successful, resulting in a CAPS victory
(15-6).
The match for the top spot saw the CAPS
taking on the 16U Georgetown Impact Black. This provided
the girls with a sneak peak at what the competition will be like on
April 12 and 13th when the CAPS travel to Burlington for the OVA
16U Girls Ontario Championships - Tier 1, where Impact are seeded
5th and the CAPS are seeded 7th. Based on the performance
both teams put down, next weekend's tournament will see some very
exciting volleyball! It was close, and the girls fought hard,
but Impact had the edge on Sunday, defeating the CAPS in straight sets
(25-20, 25-23), resulting in a hard-fought silver medal for the
CAPS.
Congratulations to Kayla Bell-Hammond and Stephanie Theiler who were selected Tournament All Stars. And a
round of applause to the entire 16U team for a great all-round effort
this weekend. Thanks to coaches Linden and Bruno and the great
cheering squad from home for their continued support of the team.
Good luck girls at the 16U Ontario Championships!!!!
